6 Scrumptious Low-Calorie Sauces

28 aug 6 Scrumptious Low-Calorie Sauces

The right sauce can make all the difference when you’re dieting. Sadly, most of our favorite dressings are high in calories, fat, and sugar, not to mention more than a few nasty additives we’d be better off without. Despair no more! These six scrumptious sauces are not only much lower in calories than their store-bought kin, they’re also made with delicious, wholesome ingredients that will leave your taste buds dancing for joy.

1. Sweet and Sour Sauce

This Asian-inspired sauce is perfect for dipping spring rolls and pot stickers, and it makes a delectable glaze for chicken and shrimp! Did I mention it tastes even better than the bottled stuff for less than half the calories? Mmm hmm.

Orange Juice 1 cup

Natural Rice Vinegar 1/4 cup

Truvia brown sugar 1-1/2 tbsp

natural ketchup 2 tbsp

cold water 2 tbsp

cornstarch 1 tbsp

red pepper 1 dash

Combine orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and ketchup in a small saucepan.

Simmer over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

Combine water and cornstarch to make a slurry, then add to saucepan.

Reduce heat to medium-low, and stir until thickened.

Store in the fridge up to one week.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 tbspRecipe yields: 8 servings

Amount per serving

Calories 27

Total Fat0.1 g

Total Carbs7 g

Protein0 g

2. Pesto Sauce

I love traditional Italian pesto! Unfortunately, a two-tablespoon serving packs 100-160 calories—not the best bang for your dietary buck. This lighter version has less than 50 calories for the same amount, plus it has all that authentic flavor we love. Try it spread over salmon or chicken, mixed with pasta, or used as a dip with crisp breads!

Packed fresh basil leaves 2 cups

water 1/2 cup

grated parmessan cheese 1/4 cup

pine nuts (toasted) 2 tbsp

olive oil 1 tbsp

garlic 3 cloves

Kosher salt 1/2 tsp

Toast pine nuts in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until golden.

Add toasted pine nuts and all other ingredients to a blender or food processer.

Blend or process until smooth.

Store in the fridge up to one week.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 tbspRecipe yields: 8 servings

Amount per serving

Calories 43

Total Fat3.8 g

Total Carbs1 g

Protein2 g

3. Tzatziki Sauce

This classic Greek sauce is already pretty healthy, but it can be hard to find at some stores. But why buy what you can easily make at home? You won’t run out of uses for it! Tzatziki is delicious in wraps and fish tacos, spread over turkey burgers, or used as a dip for chicken skewers, fresh vegetables, and pita chips.

Nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1 cup

Cucumber 1/2 cup

garlic clove 1 minced

fresh dill 1-1/2 tsp

kosher salt 1/4 tsp

white pepper (optional)

Strain off excess liquid from yogurt, and add to a medium mixing bowl.

Peel one medium cucumber and scoop out seeds. Grate cucumber using a box grater and squeeze out excess liquid in a paper towel.

4. Tartar Sauce

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked the nutrition facts panel on a jar of tartar sauce, only to hang my head and put it back on the shelf. Well, no more! This tartar sauce is amazing—even better than the fast-food kind—for less than half the calories. Try it on salmon burgers, oven ”fried” fish, and even in tuna or egg salad!

nonfat greek yogurt 1/2 cup

light mayo 1/4 cup

dill pickle (finely chopped) 1/4 cup

white or green onion (finely chopped) 3 tbsp

dijon mustard 1 tsp

pickle juice 1 tsp

lemon juice 1 tsp

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, stirring until smooth.

Store in the fridge up to one week.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 tbspRecipe yields: 8 servings

Amount per serving

Calories 29

Total Fat1.8 g

Total Carbs2 g

Protein2 g

5. Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Tired of searching for a low-cal ranch dressing that tastes halfway decent? Look no further! This creamy dressing adds Mexican flare to salads, wraps, loaded baked potatoes, and more. It even makes an incredible marinade for chicken!

nonfat greek yogurt 1 cup

cilantro (chopped) 1/2 cup

Jalapeño (seeded and minced) 1 medium

Dry ranch dressing mix (optional) 2-3 tbsp

lime juice 1/4 cup

Strain off excess liquid from Greek yogurt and add to blender along with remaining ingredients.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Store in the fridge up to one week.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 tbspRecipe yields: 8 servings

Amount per serving

Calories 19

Total Fat0 g

Total Carbs2 g

Protein3 g

6. Homemade Barbecue Sauce

This sweet and tangy sauce has fewer calories and less sugar than your typical bottled brand, and cuts out high-fructose corn syrup and other yucky additives. It’s finger-lickin’ good over pulled pork or slow-cooker chicken, mixed with turkey meatloaf, drizzled over salad, or slathered over flatbread pizza.

tomato sauce 1 cup

apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup

Worcestershire sauce 3 tbsp

truvia brown sugar 2 tbsp

Pyure organic stevia blend 2 tbsp

garlic powder 1 tsp

onion powder 1/2 tsp

mustard powder 1/2 tsp

Liquid smoke (optional) 1/4 tsp

hot pepper sauce (optional) 1 dash

Add tomato sauce and remaining ingredients to a medium saucepan.

Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring every so often until thickened.